by dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a deadline or a time frame by which something should be completed, specifically before or at the time of dinner. Example: "Please make sure to finish your homework by dinner so we can enjoy the evening together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Opening followed by dinner.

The New York Times

Back by dinner".

The New York Times

Monday from 7 p.m., followed by dinner.

The New York Times

The evening became more sombre by dinner.

The New Yorker

Preceded by dinner at Sakura.

Harvard University

The party was followed by dinner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each group tells Rich about those ideas by dinner time.

Stanford University

Drinks at 6 30, followed by dinner and dancing.

The New York Times - Style

Cocktails at 7 will be followed by dinner and dancing.

The New York Times - Style

This was followed by dinner and a karaoke night.

The Guardian - Money

Drinks at 7, followed by dinner and dancing.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by dinner" to set a clear deadline for completing tasks or actions. For instance, "Please submit your reports by dinner so we can review them tonight."

Common error

Avoid using "by dinner" when you mean "for dinner". "By dinner" indicates a deadline, while "for dinner" specifies what you are having as a meal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by dinner" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It typically indicates a deadline or a time by which an action should be completed, as supported by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by dinner" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a deadline occurring at or before dinnertime. According to Ludwig, it serves as an adverbial modifier, setting expectations across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Academic spheres. Though versatile, it's important not to confuse it with "for dinner", which specifies a meal's contents. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, writers should consider audience and purpose when choosing between "by dinner" and more formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before dinner

Replaces the preposition "by" with "before", indicating a time prior to dinner.

By dinnertime

Substitutes "dinner" with "dinnertime", emphasizing the specific time of dinner.

Prior to dinner

Uses a more formal prepositional phrase to indicate a time before dinner.

Ahead of dinner

Implies completing something in anticipation of dinner.

By the time dinner is served

Specifies the deadline more explicitly, referring to the serving of dinner.

No later than dinner

Adds emphasis on the lateness of the deadline.

At dinner

Focuses on something happening during the dinner meal itself.

With dinner

Indicates something accompanying the dinner meal.

For dinner

Specifies the purpose or intention related to dinner.

Around dinner time

Specifies an approximate timeframe around when dinner occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "by dinner" in a sentence?

Use "by dinner" to indicate a deadline or a time frame by which something should be completed, such as, "Make sure to finish the report "by dinner" so we can review it this evening."

What's a simple alternative to "by dinner"?

A straightforward alternative is "before dinner", which clearly indicates that something should be done prior to the meal.

Is "by dinner" formal or informal?

The phrase "by dinner" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and professional contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "prior to the evening meal".

What does "by dinner" mean?

The expression "by dinner" means something needs to be completed at or before the time that dinner is typically eaten. It sets a specific timeframe.